UNCA - United Neighbors Civic Association

About our association

HOW AND WHY THE UNCA WAS STARTED

In 1954, several residents of this community got together to see if they could do something about improving the neighborhood where they had recently purchased their homes. The Baisley Park section of Queens was being developed. One and two-family homes were being constructed. There were many vacant lots which were soon to disappear and be transformed into ne front and rear lawns with a home in between.

The Jamaica Race Track, located in the area now occupied by Rochdale Village, was a menace to the residents. Traffic was unbearable at the end o the racing day. Motorists turned our streets into one-way avenues and made it virtually impossible for a resident to move continuously in and out of the community. Parking was a major problem. Driveways were blocked, some streets rendered almost impassable because of the double parked cars.

Woodrow Wilson Vocational High School (now known as August Martin) was not opened to residents of the community as an evening center. The nearest Junior High School was Shimer, located at 142nd St & Linden Blvd. A supermarket and post office did not exist in the area. There were too few traffic lights and bus sevice was minimal.

The new residents clearly saw the need for a civic association, and in October, 1954 the UNCA was organized. The first meeting was held in the basement of a home on 1 55th St.

In July of 1961 the UNCA was incorporated, and the official and legal name the organization became the UNITED NEIGHBORS CIVIC ASSOCIATION OF JAMAICA, INC.